White River Jct., VT- Richard Jay Lake, 83, died Thursday, March 23, 2023, at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, NH following a courageous three-year battle with cancer.

Richard was born December 2, 1939, in Middletown Springs, VT, a son of William and Elizabeth (Greene) Lake and graduated from Brattleboro Union High School in 1957. He attended Northampton Commercial College in MA and Western New England College in Springfield, MA. Richard went to work for Agway in West Springfield, MA as a CPA. He later took a position with Coopers & Lybrand Accounting in Westfield, MA, transferring to the branch in West Palm Beach, FL. Richard became the CFO for Jewel Master's until his retirement in 1988. Richard returned to Vermont and settled in White River Junction in 2005.

Richard was a member of the Westfield, MA Kiwanis Club, the Jaycee's and the West Palm Beach Habitat for Humanity. He enjoyed taking in the fresh air while playing 18 holes or out on the water fishing.

Richard is preceded in death by his first wife, Judith McConnell Lake; father, William Lake; mother, Elizabeth Moore; five brothers, William, Bruce, Edward, John, and Carrol; and a sister, JoAnne.

He is survived by his beloved wife, Joan (Barrows) Lake of White River Junction; a son, Brian Lake/Shelley; and granddaughters, Rebecca Lake of Orlando, FL and Allysa Lake of Seattle, WA. He is also survived by step-daughters, Mary Smiel of Pittsford, VT, Suzanne Smiel Wetmore/Terry of Colchester and Nancy Smiel Kent/Jeffrey of Hartford, VT. Along with two grandsons, Nicholas Kent of Hartford, VT and Zachary Kent/Emma of Chartottesville, VA. He was able to meet his first great-grandaughter, Bella Grace Kent by video who was born just two weeks ago.

Additionally Dick is survived by sister, Dora Lake Prentice/Sam and a brother, Danny Lake.

At Dick's request, there will be no funeral service. There will be a remembrance at the annual Lake Family reunion in August.

Knight Funeral Home in White River Junction has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be expressed to Richard's family in an online guestbook at www.knightfuneralhomes.com . Memorial contributions may be made to the Norris Cotton Cancer Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756